Ten Pampering Treats for Expectant MomsLooking for some ways to pamper your body and be the center of pregnancy attention? Well, it is about time. Just because you are pregnant doesnt mean you have to forget all about you and focus solely on the baby. There are many ways to spoil your self or allow someone else to do for you. This is beyond just unplugging the phone, lighting candles and taking a bath, this is fun and relaxing. Most of all, it also alleviates some of the pregnancy symptoms you have had to endure. At first with everyone keeping focused on babys delivery, you might feel a bit guilty for wanting some attention, too. Do not feel guilty- you are the one nurturing this being inside you and deserve a bit of pampering as well. There is nothing wrong with asking for some TLC or pampering at this time, in fact it should be on the high priority list of things to do.
Massage is one of the best methods of relaxation. It also has many more health benefits such as improved lymph system drainage and
circulation. It improves the immune system, relaxes ever-strained muscles from the new weight changes, removes toxic build up in the body, and promotes a sense of inner peace. Most women have no clue what they are missing until they get one. Getting weekly or bi-weekly massage can make your overall pregnancy experience better. It can help ease many of the nasty hormone effects of pregnancy. Reducing stress can help promote a healthier pregnancy. It allows blood to better to the baby and can reduce the risk of stress induced miscarriage or low birth weight.
The benefits of massage include:
Reduces stress
Releases endorphins
Helps with lymph drainage
Helps muscle tone
Promotes muscle elasticity
Minimizes spider veins
Reduces fatigue
Helps alleviate symptoms of morning sickness
Here are some pampering tips for the mom-to-be:
1) Bask in a lavender foot soak! Fill a small basin with warm water and add up to 5 drops of essential oil of lavender. Immerse both feet and soak for ten minutes. This will allow the foot muscles to relax which has an all body effect and smells great too.
2) To soothe sore, swollen, tender feet, fill a 2-liter soda bottle with water and put it in the freezer. After it's frozen, place on the floor and roll your foot back and forth over the bottle to relieve aches and spasms. The cold also helps remove old stale blood from the area to be replaced by fresh blood once warmed back up. Make sure to put a towel between you and the bottle for protection reasons.
3) For a relaxing aromatherapy bath that can wisk you to another land, combine 2 drops each of oil of essential oils neroli, lavender and lemon, with 6 teaspoons of apricot kernel or sweet almond oil, add to a warm tub. Bath water should be no more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and one should soak no more than 20 minutes. If you like it hotter, no more than 102 degrees and only stay in for 10 minutes.
4) To pamper your pregnant belly and help reduce your risk of stretch marks, soak a washcloth in small dish of warm milk, and apply to your tummy. Re-dip and re-apply for up to 15 minutes, then add a rich moisturizer like pure cocoa butter.
5) Treat yourself to a massage. Have your partner give you a great rub down with coco butter. This will melt your worries away and reduce the chance for stretch marks. Also make sure you get a professional session done at least once a month. This will benefit you in more ways than one.
6) Try a romantic night with your partner with dining and whatever else you love to do, enjoying one last pre-baby fling. Have spontaneous sex, assuming of course, that you're still in the mood or can. Sex has many relaxation benefits and the intimacy is awesome.
7) Let a friend do something nice for you. Ask them to prepare some casseroles for the freezer; this will come in handy those first few weeks at home with baby. Ask her to pre-address your baby announcements or thank you card from your baby shower. Even helping by cleaning your house from top to bottom can be so wonderful. This is one time in your life when it's okay to call in all your favors.
8) Make a belly cast so you'll have a one-of-a-kind souvenir of this amazing time in your life. You and your partner can even put your handprints on the tummy for personalization. These are easy to find at any craft store, baby boutique, and the Internet.
9) Schedule lunch, dinner, or a movie with a friend or your partner on your due date. That way, you'll have something to do if your baby decides to show up fashionably late.
10) Succumb to your urge to nap or sleep in. If there's one thing that's likely to be in chronic short supply during the weeks ahead, its sleep. This could very well be the Sandman's last stand!
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